Car-trtjck



H. l. BUBENHEIM.

CAR TRUCK.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 13. |915. 1,314,183. Patented Aug. 26, 1919.

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AT-ronncv' Mam' H. 1. BUBENHEIM.

CAR TRUCK.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 13' I9I5.

'1 3 l 4:, 1 83 Patented Aug. 26, 1919.

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WITNESS INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY' H. J. BUBENHEIM.

CAR TRUCK.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. I3. 1915. 1,314,183. PutentedAug. 26,1919.

. 3 SHEETSMSHEET 3.

8 Z7 TX INVENTOR WITNESS.

' UNTTED sTATEs PATENT oEEIoE.

HENRY J'. BUBENHEIM, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.

CAR-TRUCK.

Application led November 13, 1915. Serial No. 61,219.

T0 all whom t may concern Be it known that I, HENRY J. BUnENHEIM, acitizen of the United States, residing at Pittsburgh, in the county ofAllegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a certain new anduseful Improvement in Car- Trucks, of which the following is alspecificatlon. 1

My invention is designed primarily with the object in view of providinga car truck that is held together and assembled without the necessityfor using bolts, nuts, or rivets. In other words I have discovered andperfected an efiicient and practical boltless-riv etless car truck, thatcan be easily and quickly put together and disassembled, involvingcomparatively few units or co-act- 4ing parts.

Another function incorporated in my novel construction of `car truck isthe means employed for taking care of the strains and torsions impartedyto the truck when running along a section of uneven track, or elserounding .a curve, the several coacting elements, which are flexiblyconnected and associated, readily responding and adjusting themselves toany irregularity or curvature in the track, said elements 'being soconstituted and arranged as to be. automati cally and positively selfcentering under all conditions.

The simplicity, and at the same time practicability, of my improvedconstruction of car truck, will insure its production and assemblage ata minimum cost for material and labor. In addition this truck will, byreadily accommodating itself to uneven trackage and curves, practicallyeliminate excessive and damaging torsional conditions, throughout allsections of the truck.

With the foregoing objects in view my invention consists in theapproximate embodiment and arrangement of coacting units, as illustratedin the accompanying drawing, forming apart of this specification, inwhich Figure 1 is a sideJ elevation of one side of the truck; Fig. 2 isa plan View of the truck in broken formation; Fig. 3 shows an endelevation, partly in section; Fig. 4 is a transverse section taken onthe line IV-IV of Fig. B; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the bottomside of one of thel spring bearing plates;.Fig. 6 shows in-perspective,and in reverse attitude, one end ofthe dovetail Specification of LettersPatent.

grooved bottom bolster; Fig. 7 is a similar view of said bottom Ibolsterin its upright functional position; Fig- 8 is an end elevation of one ofthe side frameshousing a journal box; Fig. 9 is a vertical sectionytaken on the line IXdIX of Fig. 8, and.

Fig. l0 is a side elevation of a modified construction of journal box,the housing frame being in section.

The two side frames of the truck, which are exact duplicates of eachother, and having their greatest depth at the longitudinal centerthereof, gradually tapering toward each end, are each indicated as awhole by the numeral 1, at the center of each frame there being provideda suitable sized opening, or unobstructed space, having the parallelside walls 2 2, the horizontal top portion 3, and bottom section 4,which latter part is made semi-circular in configuration, the entirehalf circle being constructed with a dovetail flange 5 at both sides ofthe frame, which construction constitutes a curved bearing for thejournaled end of the bottom bolster 6.

The two end sections of each side frame are also provided with aperturesor housing spaces `7 for the reception of the journal boxes 8, saidapertures having a widened out lower section 9, that forms .theoverhanging shoulders 10, these latter portions being rounded ofi', orof a convex configuration, in order to provide pivotal bearings for thejournal box; a detail description of which will vbe made hereinafter,

The bottom bolster, indicated as a Whole by the numeral 6, issemi-circular in cross'- section throughout its entire length, ispreferably made in one piece, cored out for the' purpose of lightness,and provided with a centrally disposed longitudinal rib portion 1 2.Each end section of this bolster has an upper disposed flat bearingsurface or integral plate 13, which carries a plurality of upwardlyprojecting lugs 14.-, the ends 0f this bolster terminating in a`peripheral rib, or semi-circular enlarged cross section l5, in which isa dovetail groove 16 of adequate size to receive the dovetail flange 5formed on the side frame.

The central rib 1Q, adjacent to the inner edge of said plate 13, at bothends of the bolster, is provided with an enlarged portion or boss 17,having a centrally disposed vertical los aperture 17 therein, whichaperture terminates inside the bottom portion lbut does not necessarilyextend clear through the bolster.

'The bottom portion of said bolster may be y angled in order that theflat or upper face of the bolster will incline in approximate verticalalinement withthe walls 2, in which position it will be an easy matterto register the dovetail flange 5 in the `receptive dovetail groove 16,after `which said bolster is further guided downward along thesemicircular flange 5 until the full arc of both the dovetail Harige andgroove are in full registering enga` ement one with the other. When thusinter ocked said bolster will assume its normal functional attitude, asshown in Fig. 4, with the upper fiat face lying in'an approximatehorizontal plane.

The dovetail interlocking feature thus provided between the coactingbottom bolster and two side frames, insures absolute union of thesethree 'main units, and prevents any separation thereof, no longitudinalmovement-or displacement of the said bolster being possible. j

The next step in the assembling process involves the placin of asuitable number of resilient mem rs, preferably coil springs 18, restingon the iat surface 13 and over the confining lugs 14, this being carriedout at both ends of the bolster inside the central housing space.

On top of these resilient members is next placed the spring plate orbearing member '19, shown in Fig. 5, the spaced-apart lugs 20 formed onthe under disposed face of this 'element serving, in conjunction withthe aforesaid lugs 14 carried by the bottom bolster, to prevent anyshifting or displacement of the spring members 18. This said plate 19 isfurther provided with two alining side notches or cut-out portions 21,which receive and straddle the vertical side walls 2, thereby preventingany displacement of said plate, other than up and down,

, it being free to move only in a vertical path.

This plate is further provided with an elliptical slot 22, approximatelymidway between and in alinement with the notches 21, which slotpreferably passes entirely through the plate.

The top bolster, designated as a whole byl the numeral 23, is likewisepreferably made in one'v piece, and is positioned in parallel horizontalvalinement directly above, and in spaced-apart relationship with, thesaid bottom bolster, as shown in Fig. 3. This 19, both ends carrying anunder disposed and depending lug 24, that is designed to enter `and seatin the elliptical slot 22 formed through the said plate, thereby.securing said top bolster against longitudinal movement.- The width ofthese end sections is somewhat less than the full width of the housingopening, as seen in Fig. 4, in order that thisftop bolster may beaccorded a slight lateral play or.. adjustment, this movement beingpermitted by reason of the elliptical slot 22, taken in conjunction withthe variable widths of the said end sections and housing space. Both endsections of the top bolster are recessed along their side portions to apredetermined depth, in order to provide seats for the oppositelydisposed coil spring members 25, which members project outwardly beyondthe mouth of said receptive recesses, and bear against the side walls 2.

a limited amount of vertical play likewisev being-accorded said topbolster b reason ofthe clearance or space 2d left a ove the, endsections. Both end sections are further ioo provided with verticallydisposed apertures 27, said holes passing entirely through the structurein order to receive the securin and connecting bars 28, they being of.su cient length to enter and seatin the aperture 17 formed in the bottombolster. lna erture provided at the lower` extremity ofthese bars, whichregister with another aperture formed through the walls ofthe boss 17,permits of thel insertion of a key- 'or pin 29, that serves to rigidlyanchor said bars in their vertical functional attitude. The aperture 27is made slightly larger in diameter than the diameter of said insertedbar member, in order that there will be no integral enlargement orprojection 30, the l full cross section at this point occupyingapproximatelyy the entire width of the enlarged space 9, said box, byreason of the engagement of said projecting portions with the verticalside walls of said housing space 9, being thus held andV confinedagainst any lateral movement. The upper, or narrowest ledge of theseprojecting portions, has formed therein a semi-circular groove orconcavity 31, designed to receive and provide a seat for the rounded offor convex shoulder portions 10, thus furnishing a pivotal union betweenthe journal box and surrounding frame.

On the top of each journal box, and extending the full width thereof, isa raised portion 32 of a convex configuration, the arc of which is drawnfrom a point at the axial center of the concavity 31, this said parthaving its bearing vagainst an under disposed concave surface formed inthe lframe or upper ed e ofthe aperture 7,

whereby the box will have a self centering and tilting slide functionwhen being moved from its two alining pivotal centers. Intermediate ofthe bottom surface of the journal box and frame is positioned a leafspring, or equivalent cushioningmember 33, which preferably straddlessaid frame in order to prevent any displacement or shifting thereof, andserves as a resilient bearing for the box.

No particular novelty is claimed for the inserted and housed axle 34,having the re-y duced neck or journal portion 35, extreme end collar 36,and contact bearing block or brass 37. I do however claim an addedimprovement in the saddle member 3.8, which seats over the brass element37, said saddle having the centrally disposed and integral circular bossportion 39, which seats in a receptive recess or slot 40 having anelliptical configuration, formed centrally of the inner roof of the box,this aforesaid construction constituting and insuring a pivotal union orswivel connection between the journal and box, whereby said journal isfree to swing or adjust itself in a' limited arc, independent of thetilting function accorded the box member. ,p

When thus constructed, arranged, and combined, approximately as shownand described, there is provided a positive universal joint unionbetween the side frame, journal, and box, whereby these three membersare free for independent adjustment, at variable angles away from theirnormal positions, thereby avoiding any torsional conditions at the fourcorner portions of the truck.

In Fig. 10 is shown a slightly modified form of journal box, whereonthere is provided, exterior of the bottom surface, a centrallygdisposedconvex section or Welt ill,

the arc of which is identical with its coacting convex part 32 formedvon the top portion, and in vertical alinement therewith, a set screw orsimilar equivalent member 42 being substituted for the spiing element33, said screw entering through the frame structure, and its inner endbearing againt the said welt 41. Each journal box carries the usualhinged drop door or lid 43.

When thus assembled as shown,v with all the heretofore described unitsin their proper coacting` relationship one with the other, the car body,not shown, will be supported by the two horizontally alining topbolsters, one for each truck, the usual center plate 44, with itsassociated king-pin element 45, together with the usual spacedapart,upwardly projecting circular boss members 46, for turning engagementwith the bottom side of the car body, being cai'- ried by the topbolsters. The entire weight of the car body, includin g the topbolstei's and bearing plates 19,/ will' be carried and equallydistributed by means of the plurality of resilient elements 18,positioned intermediate of said plates and bottom holsters. The topholsters are .free to respond to variable weights or loads imposedthereon, their upward movement being limited by the top bar 3 of theframe structure and their downward path by the full depression limit ofthe spring elements 18. Said top bolsters have a limited amount oflateral play in either direction and are automatically self-centering byreason of the resilient members 25, no longitudinal movement of theseholsters beinfI possible owing to the depending lugs 24, wliichlenterthe transversely arranged elliptical slot 22 provided in the bearingplate 19.

In the event of there being any unevenness or .dip 1n the rails, wherebythe car wheels in passing yover such depression would set up variabledegrees of .torsion throughout the truck body, the flexible nature of mynovel construction` due to the peculiar formation Iand arrangement ofthe coacting units, would cause said parts -to instantaneously andautomatically rearrange themselves so as to compensate for the strainsthus imparted to the truck, whereby such torsional condition would beabsolutely taken care of and absorbed without s erious detriment ordistortion of the coactlng parts, all of said parts automaticallyreturning to their normal attitudes, and relationshi with all the otherparts, the instant said torsional condition has ceased.

For example Presuming that any one of the ence in elevation ever soslight, thus allowing the load to depress that end of the side frameaccordingly, this member, owing to its journaled or pivoted union withthe semicircular bottom bolster, will then be free to tilt at any angleabove or below its normal horizontal attitude. At the commencement ofthis depressel movement of said side frame, the journal box 8, by reasonof its pivotally mounted associationwith the side frame2 will readilyrespond to this condition and tilt, or readjust itself away from itsnormal horizontal attitude, 'in unison with the angular position assumedby the axle and side frame, the opposite or naturally uplifted end ofthe frame easily shifting along with the journal box by means of thepivotal union with the journal 35, at which juncture the saddle member38 will shift on its bearing accordingly, assuming a more or lessangular attitude in unison with the tilted box and frame, no binding orfriction being possible under this condition.

The instant either end of the side frame is. depressed, due to the.cause heretofore enumerated, thereby elevating the opposite gend, thevertical wall 2, at the raised side of the frame from its pivotalcenter, will act to collapse the spring element 25 carried by the topbolster at that side of contact, the bearing plate y19 likewise tiltingor assum ing an angular attitude-in unison with the side frame. Shouldthe depression of the wheel', and corresponding tilting of the sideframe, be sulicient to cause a complete collapse of the spring element25 inside its receptive recess, and the tilting movement continuingbeyond this point, the vertical wall 2 finally coming into engagementwith the side of the top bolster, will exert a shoving movement of saidmember laterally over its contacting plate member 19, thereby depressingthe spring element 25 positioned in the flrame housing at the oppositeside of the truc L its normal level with the other three wheels,

and the torsional condition is thereby eliminated, all of the coactinglparts will instantaneously and automatically return to their normalpositions by 'a reverse action from that just described. a'

This ready adjustment of the parts, and quick response "to torsionalconditions, will be carried out in the `manner above explained, underall variable conditions of trackage `that are liable toarise, and thisclaim holdsV oo d'no matter whether one, two, or three of tghe wheelssimultaneously or alternately, are depressed below or raised above thenormal level of their associated wheel or wheeisfduring the passage ofthe truck along the rails.

The .two rralleled alining top. and tot tom bolsters .are intended toretain their normal vertical attitudes, and practically the onlycondition that might arise, which would cause said two bolsters toassume an angular position, other than truly vertical, would be thebreaking or unduel sagging, due to various causes, of one or more of thespring members 18, inV which event the chief functional necessity forthe vertically disposed bars 28 comes into play.

These said bars 28, which have their lowermost extremities anchored tothe| bottom bolster, l their upper section projecting through the topbolster, serve to unite both bolsters, and should any one or more of thesprings 18 at either side become broken or unduly collapsed, the excessweight amd strain imposed on the remaining springs would have a tendencyto cause the bottom bolster to roll or shift in its two end bearingsuntil it has taken up the excess play allowed in the aperture 27 formedin the top bolster, when the sai'd connecting bars 28 will, upon afurther rocking motion of the bottom bolster,A act in the capacity oflevers to shift the top bolster laterally, the top springs 25 `beingcalled upon to cushion this thrust.

What l claim as my invention is:

1. In a car truck, a side frame provided with a centrally disposed andunobstructed space having parallel vertical sides and a semi-circularbottom portion of an approximate dovetail formation in cross section,both end sections of the frame being apertured to house journal boxes.

2. 1n a car truck, a side frame provided with a centrally disposed andunobstructed space having parallel velrtical sides and semi-circularbottoni portions, both ends of the frame being apertured to housejournal boxes, said latter apertures having a widened out lower sectionforming overhanging and alining shoulders.

3. 1n a car truck, a side frame provided with a centrally disposed andunobstructed space having parallel vertical sides and a semi-circularbottom portion, the latter part being of a dovetail formation, both endsec-- tions of the frame being apertured in order' to house journalboxes, said latter apertures having a widened out lower section `formingoverhanging and alining shoulders which are convex in cross section.l

4. lna car truck, the combination with the apertured side frame, of ajournal box having exteriorly arranged semi circular and alining sidebearing portions, together with a transversely arranged convex raisedsection central of the top portion, the box housing `apertures,.formedin the end sections of the frame, having suitable bearings /wherebythejournal box will have a pivotal lfunction within the frame,

5. In a car truck, the combination with the side frame havlng aperturedend sections, which apertures are provided with alining and rounded offshoulders, of a journaljbox adjustable within the aperture, said boxhaving exteriorly arranged semi-circular and alining side bearingportions for engagement with the said shoulders, together with atransverse convex raised section central of the top portion, whichconvex part seats in a concavity formedin the frame, whereby a pivotalunion is provided between the frame and box.

6. In a car'truck, the combination with the side frame and axle, of ajournal box having exteriorly arranged semi-circular and alining side.bearing portions, together with an exteriorly arranged and transverseraised section central of the top portion, said box being furtherprovideld with a recess central of the inner surface of the top portion,an aperture formed in the end of .the frame for housing the journal box,said aperture having pivotal bearings for the box, and a saddle, havinga circular boss portion, mounted over the journal and swiveled in theinner recess of the box, whereby a universal joint union is' rovidedbetween the frame, box, and journa 7 A car truck having alining sideframes, each one provided with a housing space at its longitudinalcenter, said space having a semi-circular bottom yseat of a dovetailforymation, and a -bolster uniting the side frames, said bolster havinga semi-circular cross section at its end portions, which ends areprovided with a/semi-circular dovetail groove for registering engagementwith the dovetail seat, whereby an interlocking fea ture is providedbetween the frames and bolster.

8. A/car truck having alining side frames, each frame being providedwith a housing space at its longltudinal center, said space having asemi-circular bottom seat of a dovetail formation, a bolster uniting theside frames, said bolster having a semicircular cross section at bothends, which ends are provided with a semi-circular dovetail groove forregistering engagement with the dovetail seat, whereby an interlockingand pivotal union is provided between the frames and bolster, and asecond bolster arranged in parallel longitudinal alinement above thefirst mentioned bolster, said second bolster havin a' limited' amount oflateral and vertical p ay, but held against any longitudinal movement.

9. A ear truck having alining side frames, each frame being prov1dedwith a housing space at its longitudinal center, said space having asemi-circular bottom seat of a dovetail formation,` a bottombolsteruniting the side frames, said bolster having a semicircular crosssection at both ends, which ends are provided with a semi-circulargroove of a dovetail formation for registering engagement with thedovetail seat, a second bolster arranged in parallel longitudinalalinement above the bottom bolster, its end sections seating in thecentral'housing space, said second bolster being` held againstlongitudinal movement, but bein adjustable both vertically andlaterally, an resilient means intermediate of the top and bottomholsters.

10. A car truck having alining side frames, each frame being rovidedwith a housing space at its longitu inal center, said space havmg asemibircular bottom seat of a dovetail formation, together with verticalside walls, an under disposed bolster uniting the side frames, saidbolster havin a semicircular cross section at both en s, which ends areprovided with a semi-circular dovetail groove for registerin engagementwith the dovetail seat, a secon( bolster arranged in parallellongitudinal alinement above the first mentioned bolster, its endsections seating in the central housing space, which ends carryresilient elements designed to contact with the vertical sides of thecentral housing space to cushion the side thrust of the top bolster,resilient means intermediate of the two holsters, and means forpreventing longitudinal movement of said top bolster.

11. A car truck having alming side frames, each frame being rovidedwithl a housing space at its longitu( inal center, said space having asemi-circular bottom seat of a dovetail formation, an under disposedbolster uniting the side frames, said bolster having a seml-circularcross section at both ends, which ends are provided with a semi-circulardovetail groove for registering engagement with the dovetail seat,resilient members supported by the said bolster within the centralhousing space, a plate seated on the said resilient members, a secondbolster arranged in arallel longitudinal alinement above the sectionsseating in the central housing space and contacting with the said plate,resilient members carr1ed by the top bolster designed to contact withthe sides 0f the central housing space to cushion the side thrust ofsaid to bolster, and means carried by said top bo ster, coperating withmeans formed in the said plate, for preventing longitudinal movement ofthe top bolster.

12. A car truck having alining" side frames, each framey being rovidedwith a housing space at its longitu inal center, said space havlng asemi-circular bottom seat of a dovetail formation, together withvertical side walls, an under disposed bolster uniting the side frames,said bolster havin a semicircular cross section at `'both en s, whichtions seating ends are provided with a semi-circular dovetail groove forregisteringengagement with the dovetail seat, resilient memberssupported by the said bolster within the central housinglspace, a platemember seated on the said resilient members, said plate being adjustableonly in a vertical path and provided with an elliptical slot, a secondbolster arranged in parallel longitudinal alinement above the firstmentioned bolster, its end secin the central housing space and contactmgwith the said plate, means carried by the end sections of the topbolster for registering engagement in the elliptical slot formed in saidplate, for preventing longitudinal movement of the top bolster,resilient means carried by the top bolster designed for engagement withthe sides of the central housing opening to cushion the side thrust ofsaid top bolster, and means anchored in the bottom bolster andprojecting through thetop bolster for uniting both bolsters. l

13. A car truck having alining side frames., each frame being providedwith a housing space at its longitudinal center, said space having asemi-circular bottom seat of a dovetail formation, together withverticalv side walls, journal boxes mounted for piv-- otal adjustmentwithin the end sections of the frames, an under disposed bolster unitingthe side frames, the end sections of said bolster being provided with asemi-circular .dovetail groove for registering engagement f tudinalalinement above the lirst mentioned bolster, its end sections seating inthe central housing space and contacting wlth the said plate, meanscarried by the top bolster and Vregistering in the slot formed in saidplate for preventing longitudinal movement of the top bolster, resilientmembers arranged I in the end sections of the top bolster for cushioningthe side thrust of this member,

and means anchored in the bottom bolsterv and entering through the topbolster for uniting both bolsters. i

14. A car truck having alining side frames, each frame being providedwith a housing space at its longitudinal center, said space having asemi-circular bottom seat of 'a dovetail Iformation, an under disposedbolster uniting the side frames, the ends of this bolster being providedwith a semicircular dovetail groove for registering engagement with thedovetaill seat whereby an interlocking and pivotal union is provided lbetween (the side frames and bolster, resilient 'bolster and enteringthrough the top bolster for uniting both bolsters.

15. A' car truck having alining side frames, each frame being providedwith a housing spaceat its longitudinal center, said space having iasemi-circular bottom seat of a dovetail formation, an under disposedbolster uniting the side frames, the ends of this bolster being providedwith a semicircular dovetail groove for registering engagement with thedovetail seat whereby an interlocking and pivotal union is providedbetween the side frames and bolster, a ,second bolster arranged inparallel alinement with the first mentioned bolster its end sectionsseating in the central housing space, resilient means intermediate ofthe said two bfolsters, and means for connecting. both` holsters forsimultaneous pivotal adjustment.

16. lA car truck involving side frames,.

. frame.

17 ...A car truck involving side frames, which frames are apertured attheir longitudinal centers and also at both ends, ythe central aperturehaving a semicircular seat of afdovetail formation, a bolster connectingthe side frames, its end sections being provided with a semi-circulardovetail slot adapted for registering engagement with the said dovetailseat, whereby an interlocking and pivotal union is established betweenthe frames and bolster, said end apertures housing pivotally mountedjournal boxes.

.18. In a car truck a bolster having its end sections semi-circular incross section, said ends being provided with a dovetail groove.

19. ln a car truck the combination with the side frames, each framehaving a semicircular dovetail seat, of a bolster designed to connectthe said frames, which bolster is provided with a semi circular dovetailgroove in each end for registering engagement with the dovetail seat,whereby a removable interlocking and pivotal union is establishedbetween the said `frames and bolster.

20. A car truck having side frames, a.

bolster arranged in parallel longitudinal alinement above the firstmentioned bolster, and means unit-ing both holsters for simultaneouspivotal adjustment.

21. A car truck having side frames, a lower disposed bolster connectingthe side frames, its end sections bein' in interlocked and pivotal unionwith said rames, a second bolster arranged in parallel alinement abovethe first mentioned bolster, resilient members intermediate of saidbolsters, and means uniting both bolsters for simultaneous adjustment.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature this 23d day of October, 1915.

HENRY J. BUBENHEIM.

